Biology Major BS
Biology is the study of life, from the simplest cells to the most complex ecosystems. When you study biology you develop an understanding of your own life and an appreciation for your connection to the natural world.
A biology degree helps open the door to a broad range of fields, including health care, food science, public health, biotechnology, conservation and natural resource management. Many biology graduates continue on to professional and graduate programs in health care, research and education.
The biology major provides students with scientific knowledge, laboratory skills, research experience, and intellectual training in analytical and quantitative reasoning.
The Bachelor of Science in Biology offers students a comprehensive introduction to the biological sciences with a strong foundation in mathematics and the physical sciences, followed by advanced study in at least one area of student interest. Students earning the Bachelor of Science in Biology are encouraged to include a minor in chemistry, physics or mathematics in their program of study.
In addition to the overall University graduation requirements, the biology major BS requires each student to complete 64 credits in the major, including at least 25 upper division credits and at least 25 credits from Metropolitan State University. All prerequisite and required courses must be completed with grades of C- or above. Graduating seniors must complete the biology program exit interview and assessment test during their final semester of classes.
Transfer coursework equivalency is determined by the Natural Science Department. Each foundation science course must include at least one semester credit of professionally supervised on-ground laboratory experience with standard undergraduate laboratory equipment and materials. Lower-division (1000- and 2000-level) courses are not accepted as equivalent to upper-division courses and cannot be used to fulfill core or elective requirements in the major.
Acceptance to the Program
To be eligible for acceptance to the Biology BS major, students must submit a College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Program Declaration Form when the following is completed:
- Prerequisite courses (see below) with a grade of C- or better
- The first five Foundation courses (see below) with a grade of C- or better
After submission of the Undergraduate Program Declaration Form, students must complete the Biology Program Assessment Survey.
Prerequisites
- MATH 115 College Algebra or
- MATH 120 Precalculus
- BIOL 101 Introduction to Life Sciences or
- BIOL 105 Human Biology or equivalent
Requirements (64 total credits)
Foundation Courses (39 credits)
- BIOL 111 General Biology I with laboratory
- BIOL 112 General Biology II with laboratory
- CHEM 111 General Chemistry I with laboratory
- CHEM 112 General Chemistry II with laboratory
- MATH 210 Calculus I
And three of the following:
- CHEM 231 Organic Chemistry I with laboratory
- CHEM 232 Organic Chemistry II with laboratory
- PHYS 211 Calculus-based Physics I with laboratory
- PHYS 212 Calculus-based Physics II with laboratory
Core Courses (15 credits)
One upper division course with lab in each of the three categories.
Cell Category
- BIOL 301 Genetics or
- BIOL 302 Cell Biology and Histology or
- BIOL 304 Molecular Biology or
- CHEM 301 Biochemistry
Ecology Category
- BIOL 310 Ecology or
- BIOL 312 Evolution or
- BIOL 315 Limnology or
- BIOL 318 Spatial Ecology or
- BIOL 320 Ecosystem and Global Ecology
Organism Category
- BIOL 311 Plant Physiology or
- BIOL 321 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy or
- BIOL 322 Comparative Animal Physiology or
- BIOL 323 Developmental Biology or
- BIOL 330 Biology of Microorganisms
Elective Courses (10 credits)
An additional 10 credits in upper-division (300-level or above) biology courses chosen from the list of core courses above, the list of courses below, and other 300- or 400-level biology course (see advisor for details).
